Dragonflies take local artist on an ethereal journey

Rich Lopez | jrlopez@mrt.com

Published
6:00 pm CST, Saturday, March 8, 2014

For Susan May, when science and art meet, beauty stems from it in the image of a dragonfly.

The scientist turned artist has always painted animals such as sea turtles and wolves, but dragonflies have really struck a chord with her. And perhaps that’s because it connects both sides of her brain.

“I taught chemistry and astronomy; I have a master’s in geology. Teaching is what defined me for many years,” she said. “But I needed something else that is creative yet related to science. I feel like that’s what this is.”

Retirement from teaching is on the horizon, which means May will have more time for her art. She teaches online courses for New Mexico State University, but she will be done by the fall.

Her focus is directly on her art and the emotions that come with it. May has a very “zen aura” about her, which translates into her watercolors. The insects are fantastical in color but realistic in conception. This is where the right and left sides of her brain meet in harmony.

“When I started painting them I just felt no stress. I’m still trying to find myself as an artist but doing these is the most relaxing and joyful thing for me. It allows me to work out my problems and it brings up euphoria when I do them. Plus, people respond well to them,” she said.

May and her husband, Brent, moved here from Artesia, N.M., three years ago for his work. She had already been painting, but upon coming here, she discovered an arts scene that fostered her own work. She said Midland’s thriving arts community is a far cry from the small scene in Artesia and the welcoming environment has encouraged her painting.

Working with ArtQuest and joining area groups, she developed — and continues to — her artistic sense of self. Although she’s been persuaded to do a series and has shown her work at the Palette Club of Midland, May said the intention of her work is purely for artistic reasons.

“I don’t know that they’re commercial. They may never sell, but they’ve led me into meeting wonderful people and have great opportunities. As an artist that’s what I want. I only want it to take me places and better myself and it brings me back to sharing both art and science with other people,” she said.

While she’s not opposed to selling her work, May prefers not to overly show her work or post it on Facebook or the web. She gives paintings to her friends and donates her handmade jewelry (also with a dragonfly motif) to Midland College’s Geology Club to raise money.

She said her work connects her to nature, which she enjoys whether hiking or kayaking. And the challenge is to capture that in her work.

“I just think about when I look up and watch them fly, it’s like music on air. The scientific part of me likes detailing how intricate the wings are which look delicate but are quite strong. I admire that strength and beauty,” she said.

For more information about Susan May's work, email her at dragonflyjourneys@yahoo.com.